Trial by Fire
Chapter 4: Hurry Up and Wait
10 minutes later on P3X-888 (Unas/ Goa'uld home world)
"Is the Colonel getting impatient with us Dr. Jackson? He keeps playing with his hat while talking with Teal'C." Virginia asked after glancing over her shoulder. "No, Jack gets bored when there's nothing for him to do. I'm surprised he didn't bring his Game Boy." Daniel replied scanning the writing on the container looking for instructions on how to open it. Virginia shrugged off the comment then went back to work. She started to look back at Jack and Teal'C but Daniel stopped her. "Whatever you do don't look, trust me. We will get more done with him over there." He said in a serious tone. "Why, the colonel is just talking to his 2IC about money." Virginia replied back looking at a section near the right hand corner. The markings didn't match the rest of the container which got her thinking. Daniel gave her a questioning look. "I learned to read lips early in life; it's a coal miner thing." She answered getting a nod from him. "They are probably making a wager, it's a military thing." Daniel explained forgetting that Virginia was military too. He was getting frustrated with the circular nature of the hieroglyphics. Nemesis had a high opinion of herself for it just being a box. She liked talking about herself more than Rodney McKay and that was saying a lot.
"I'll wager $50 bucks it can only be unlocked by retinal scan 'T'." Jack said looking over at the two eggheads noticing Virginia looking at them. "Nemesis was a vain goa'uld only taking hosts of rare beauty therefore I believe it's secured by bio-metrics. Her touch was feared by all that appeared before her." Teal'C replied scanning the area. "Yeah, I noticed that too. I've seen Escorts with more dignity than her." Jack commented then continued. "...so it's a bet then, bio-metrics verses retinal scan. This will be the easiest $50 bucks yet." The partially grey haired colonel said with a smirk. "Indeed! What does Ford Escorts and vain goa'uld have to do with one another?" He asked interested in yet another tau'ri double meaning. "Ask me again when were off base preferably when Carters not around." Jack said adjusting his hat back on for the third time. "I will do so O'Neill." Teal'C replied figuring out what an escort was by his friend's response. He would ask while in the presence of Lt. Col. Carter just to make O'Neill sweat, 'the simple pleasures in life' the jaffa thought to himself.
-I'm going to die surrounded by the biggest idiots in the Galaxy! Gamora GOTG-
"How is she doing Peterson? Did the Night Walker cure work?" Carl asked his friend seriously. Peterson checked the women's vitals once again then glanced over at Sophia. "The cure worked Sgt. Warren, now it's up to Jane Doe to wake up." Sophia answered the sergeant kneeing beside the stretcher. She was monitoring the former host's vitals on a mobile medical data pad she shared with Peterson. "Dr. Lee deserves a ton of credit for inventing this device." Sgt. Peterson said wondering where this woman came from. "Thanks for giving her your spare shirt Colonel, I'm sure she'll be thankful once awake." Peterson said standing up to stretch. "It wouldn't be right to leave her so exposed like that. That's the kind of dress you see Hollywood actresses wear on the red carpet." Albert responded wondering if she was Japanese or Chinese decent. "I'll inform Colonel O'Neill of her current status. If it changes let me know immediately." He said leaving the medics to do their duties.
"I wonder why Colonel O'Neill hasn't ordered us to gate to the next site yet." Carl asked Sophia hoping she had an answer. "I couldn't tell you sergeant; Colonel O'Neill only tells me what I need to know." Sophia answered him smirking then continued. "In other words it's above our pay grade soldier!" she finished smiling finally being able to us that line. "Funny one shorty, I bet you've been waiting to use that line for a while." Carl joked then turned serious once again. "You think Lt Davis is going to be okay, that goose egg was fairly big." Peterson picked up his rifle then looked at his friend. "He's going to be okay Carl. Davis was just lucky to avoid all those stray staff blasts. Colonel O'Neill did the right thing sending the whole team back to base."Carl nodded in agreement standing up as well. "Let's stretch our legs a bit. Sophia, we'll be in the area. Radio if you need me." She nodded yes before Peterson walked off with Carl on patrol.
Albert saluted Jack half heartedly making him roll his eyes. "We're in the field Albert, no need for formalities." Jack said giving him a two finger salute back. "So what's the status of Dillinger's girlfriend? I have a hunch that we'll need her to open the container before transferring the ZPM's." He said looking back over at Daniel and Virginia. "Jane Doe will make a full recover according to Peterson and Rogers. It's just a matter of time before she wakes up. What makes you think she'll be needed?" he asked looking over at the container. "There's no visible locking mechanism so that leaves bio-metrics or retinal scan. Next reason is we need transferee the ZPM's into another container for two reasons, 1 being we don't want to be tracked. Number 2 is simple; the Unas lets us use their planet so I don't see any harm in leaving them a thank you gift made of gold." Jack explained to his friend. "Indeed, the Unas are accommodating us, giving them a gift in return is the correct course of action." Teal'C added looking at his watch. "...are we expecting visitors Murray?" Albert asked coming to the conclusion that their egress route was never as planned.
"Indeed!" he replied without expanding further. "The USS Moscow (NCC 1147) should be entering orbit any moment. The general wanted this operation played close to the vest Colonel Reynolds. We are the only three that know this, understand." Jack said going into full bird colonel mode. Albert saluted properly giving Jack a 'Sir, yes sir!' "Get the lady in red ready. Even if she's unconscious we can open the container. We've been here too long as it is." Jack ordered giving Albert a crisp salute. He walked away already knowing what kind of response he'd get but orders were orders. Albert knew when Colonel Chekov arrived they'd be moving out ASAP.
-The following conversations take place while Jack and 'T' talk. -
Nigel knew better than to field strip his rifle in the middle of an operation yet he still did. The only reason he did do it was because 'Lurch', SG1s heavy weapons expert said he'd keep watch. "Why did you choose the FN-FAL sir? The armory has more modern weapons than that old thing." Lurch asked seriously wondering why the former SAS officer didn't choose an AR10 or SOCOM-14. "I was issued a semi-auto version during the Falkland Islands war much to my displeasure. This version is the one I actually used though." He answered honestly pushing the last bit of dirt out the barrel. "You weren't issued automatic weapons!" Ron asked shocked, he couldn't imagine not having one. It would be like Batman and Cat Women not flirting while fighting. "We were shocked much like you. The funny thing is Argentina troops carried this version. Many of us, me included, procured theirs for our own use." Nigel said reassembling his rifle. "That sounds something like I'd do. What did command think of your procurements'?" Lurch asked interested in the war story. He had read about the war never really understanding why it happened. "What could they say, our weapons malfunctioned and we adapted, overcame and improvised." Nigel replied with a smirk. He placed the reassemble rifle across his lap remembering the good old days. Lurch grinned making a fist bump motion getting a confused look from the Tok'ra. "It's called a fist bump, kind of like a handshake with gusto." He explained. Nigel nodded and did the polite thing returning the gesture. "I have one question for you SSgt. Nantz concerning your hand cannons." He said pointing at Lurches sidearm's. "You mean judge & jury." He replied patting them on their grips. "If that's what you call them, yes. Do you name all your firearms Staff sergeant?" Nigel asked wondering if the guy was pulling his leg. "I sure do, it's easier to keep track of them that way. The M240 Bravo is hangman. Do you not approve?" Lurch asked scanning the area around the gate. Even with the Unas being allies they still freaked him out. They looked like something Steven King would have thought of. "Why use such a large and loud handgun. My Browning P35 does the job with less noise and recoil." The former SAS operative asked patting his personnel sidearm. "Haven't you heard, over kill is under rated!" Lurch answered smiling widely then adjusting his position. "You Americans are just loud and proud aren't you?" Nigel said in jest. "I'll be loud and proud until I die in a pile of brass!" Lurch replied getting stern look from his CO causing him become one his surroundings.
-I do not fear death nearly as much as I fear losing my freedom. Unknown-
(Chekov's arrival 10mn later)
Jacks radio buzzed indicating ship to ground communication request. Only team leaders or communications officer could receive such transmissions, everyone else had to go through them. "Raiders ready for kick off, over." was the code chosen for this part of the mission. "Bears ready receive, over." The communication officer replied in Russian. "End zone clear, over." Jack informed the comms officer aboard the USS Moscow. Colonel Pavel Chekov beamed a few moments later getting the attention of everyone. The grey container he had with him got some attention too. Virginia watched Col. Chekov approach her CO then promptly saluting Jack. "Who's the starship captain Dr. Jackson" she asked observing the meeting of colonels. Daniel took his attention from the container. "That's Col. Chekov, he commands the USS Moscow." He replied going back to translating Nemesis self worshiping. "Funny, he looks nothing like Walter Koening." Virginia said with a straight face going back over the text. "Good one major, you're a regular comedian." Daniel replied trying to keep a straight face. "I get that from dealing with my brothers. What do you make of this Daniel? If I read it right this we need Jane Doe to open this. "Show me what you found Virginia." He answered back curious what she found.
-Meanwhile, the meeting of the Colonels.-
"Col. Chekov, It's an honor to see you once again." Teal'C said with a slight bow of the head. "What he said!" Jack added saluting his onetime advisory. "Da toverish Colonels O'Neill and Col. Murray." Pavel replied placing his hands behind his back. "Is command of a ship better than a SG team Checkers?" Jack asked using his nickname for the Russian colonel. Pavel refrained from rolling his eyes ignoring Jacks comment. "Command of an interstellar ship is more rewarding and pleasant. If I don't want to deal with a certain person all I have to do is change their shift rotation. I couldn't do that while at the SGC." He replied looking at O'Neill without betraying his true thoughts. "Whatever floats your boat Checkers, I like being able to go home and…hey! I'm not that hard to get along with. Am I hard to get along with 'T'?" Jack asked his friend. "You called me Lucy once. My name is not Lucy." Teal'C replied getting a grin from the Russian. "It's called sarcasm 'T'!" Jack retorted back in jest. "Indeed it is O'Neill." Teal'C simple response made jack laughs a bit slapping his friend on the back. "Colonel O'Neill, I believe Dr. Jackson requires your presence. "Indeed, that is Daniel Jacksons signal for 'I found something important, come quick'." Teal'C answered watching Daniel wave his hand in the air beckoning them over. "Their time is up anyway, places to be and things to do." Jack said going to command mode. "I agree Colonel O'Neill; I have many duties to attend to on my ship. The Protected Planets Agreement is time consuming." Col. Chekov said walking with Teal'C and Jack over too Daniels location. "Indeed, while serving as Apophis First Prime I commanded many ships. The captains' duties are never done." The former Jaffa agreed.
"What do you got for us Space monkey?" Jack asked looking between Virginia and Daniel expectantly. Daniel just rolled his eyes at his friends' nickname for him. The major spoke first much to Daniels relief. He just wanted to get back to his office of dusty books after a nice hot shower first.
"Sir, I believe I found a way to open up the container." Virginia said with confidence then continued. "There are two lines I found leading me to believe the container is coded to her touch and or retinal scan." She explained to the three officers. Jack looked at Daniel for conformation trusting his judgment. "Virginia is probably right given how vain Nemesis was." Daniel concurred. Col. Chekov asked the obvious to avoid hearing one of Jacks sarcastic remarks that annoyed him to no end. "What do the passages say Major Hills? I have a tight schedule to keep!" Chekov asked pointedly causing Teal'C to raise his eyebrow. Jack just ignored him chalking it up to be Russian. "Yes sir, the first line says 'Gaze into my eyes and admire my beauty'. I believe she has to look at this spot to unlock it or open a panel to touch." Jack smiled thinking he was about to win the wager motioned his new major to continue. Daniel stayed silent allowing his new team member get her footing much like he had too. "The other line is this sirs, 'Worship my body as if it was a temple and I'll share my power with you!'. Am I wrong in my assumptions given what we know of the goa'uld?" Virginia asked glancing at Daniel getting reassuring smile.
"Your assumptions are not wrong Major Hills. Nemesis is what you Tau'ri call 'Vain'." Teal'C replied allowing her to release the breath she was holding in. "Do you think she talked to mirrors Teal'C?" Jack asked his friend causing Chekov and Daniel to roll their eyes. "O'Neill, are you referring to Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs?" he asked recognizing one of Cassandra's favorite Disney cartoons. "…got it in one buddy." Jack said smirking. "Don't you think we should have…" Daniel started to ask getting cut off. "I'm way ahead of you Daniel, Reynolds…bring the lady in red over. She's the key to Carters surprise." Jack ordered over the radio receiving a raised eyebrow from Teal'C along while Daniel rolled his eyes. "What..? I could've made a Madonna reference Daniel. " He responded with an innocent look on his face. "What is a Madonna O'N Daniel could visibly see the sergeant upset and ready to say so. eill?" Teal'C asked Jack. "You don't want to know." Daniel answered first as Jane Doe was brought up. He could visibly see the sergeant upset and ready to say so. 'Bad idea Peterson.' Daniel thought to himself.
-Do we, or do we not have a Xanax detector? - Jack O'Neill
"With all due respect sir, she's not in a position to help. Jane is still out from the tranquilizer dart." Sgt. Peterson objected to his commanding officer. He looked at Sophia expecting her to back him up. She cringed internally knowing Peterson was right but Colonel O'Neill was a pragmatist. Sophia hadn't been on the receiving end of her CO's ire yet and didn't want to be. "Whether or not she's ready doesn't matter sergeant." Reynolds said in a commanding voice then continued. "The colonel needs the container open and Jane Doe is the key! Neither Colonel O'Neill nor I want to be on this rock any longer than needed. We have a schedule to keep, is that understood sergeant?" Reynolds replied giving Peterson a commanding glare. "Yes Sir, crystal clear sir!" he replied. Peterson looked at Sophia coldly as Reynolds stepped off to the side to regain his cool. 'Peterson a good soldier but he needs to learn to put the mission first. There's a time and place for compassion, now is defiantly the wrong time.' Col. Reynolds thought to himself.
Peterson and Sophia got Jane Doe situated on a stretcher in uncomfortable silence. Sophia knew he was mad at her for not backing him up. She learned fast that time critical missions are not the place to challenge your commanding officer. Sgt. Peterson motioned with a nod to pick up her side of the stretcher. They followed the rest of his team over to where Daniel and Virginia were located. Peterson in a low voice asked why Sophia didn't have his six. "Look, I agree with you about her condition. The problem is time, we don't have it. Colonel O'Neill doesn't want it wasted. If you want to question his motives; be my guest. I learned my lesson." She said in a hushed voice. "It still isn't right shorty…" he grumbled. "…less talking, more walking you two!" Reynolds half yelled following behind them unbeknownst to the medics making them cringe.
"Ah, the guest of honor has arrived." Jack commented earning an unseen glare by Peterson. "How is the former host doing Sgt. Rogers?" Teal'C asked glancing at the lady on the stretcher. "Jane is doing ok. She'd just needed a little more time to recover though!" Peterson replied a little too sharply cutting off Sophia. Jack glared at Peterson stepping forward to lay into him. Teal'C placed a hand on his friends shoulder stopping him mid stride. "…allow me O'Neill." He said getting a nod from Jack. "It would not be wise to anger O'Neill or me Sgt. Peterson." The jaffa said leaning in close. "McMurdo Station has requested additional medical staff. Do you wish to experience -40 degree temperatures?" Teal'C asked knowing the later part was a rarity. "No sir, I was just…" Peterson spoke but was cut off by Chekov. "We could send him to Siberia, the temperature only gets -25 degrees but the winters are harsh though. Would that be more suitable sergeant?" he asked the now visibly shaken soldier. "No sirs! I apologize for my insubordination Col. O'Neill. If you excuse me we'll get Jane Doe ready to open the container for you." Peterson replied waiting for permission to complete his task. "Dismissed sergeant, don't let personnel feelings get in the way of your duty. Next time McMurdo will be getting a new medic…understand!" Jack said in a commanding voice. "Sir, yes sir!" Peterson quickly with the help of Sophia moved the stretcher next to the golden container. Virginia and Daniel moved out of the way making room for Jane Doe. Virginia looked over at her CO then the wayward medic. In that instance she learned a voluble lesson, never question a direct order.
"What do you need Jane to do Dr. Jackson?" Peterson asked tempted to look over his shoulder but refrained to do so. Daniel nodded at Major Hills letting her take lead. "Sophia, place her hand right here like this." Virginia demonstrated by holding her hand with fingers stretched out similar to the Vulcan greeting. Peterson didn't take the major seriously until a panel slide open in front of his eyes. "Who would've thought a goa'uld was a Trekkie?" Daniel said out loud. "I call dibs on telling the general!" Sophia commented with a smile. "O'Neill, my theory appears to be correct...!" Teal'C said holding back a smile. "Damn, I was so sure. Well press the button to open the lid Space Monkey. You can laugh latter." Jack said with a glare. Chekov smirked enjoying seeing Jack being bested. "Don't pay up yet sir…there's a second part." Virginia said moving over to the opening examining it. Peterson moved out of the way wondering what the new major was doing. Daniel joined her as Sophia shrugged her shoulder then checked on Jane Does vitals. "It appears we might both be right my friend." Jack said crossing his fingers knowing he could use the money for flowers. "Sergeant, we need to put Jane's face here. This is a retinal scanner." Virginia pointed out then explained. "Her exact wording is 'Gaze into my Eyes' sir." She said looking at her CO. "I am inclined to believe Major Hills O'Neill. Nemesis made all prisoners look into her eyes before their death. Would it not be logical for her to the same concerning items of great importance?" Teal'C stated confidently. "You heard the man…let's gaze into a box major." Jack ordered with a wave of his hand.
Sergeant Peterson did as instructed gently lifting the former hosts head into position with Sophia's help. They laid her back down as the container opened with a hiss breaking its air tight seal. The two medics immediately moved Jane Doe away from the area letting the others complete their task. Peterson mumbled something unintelligible earning him a glare from Sophia.
Teal'C and Jack lifted the lid off then laying to the side. Daniel and Virginia looked inside finding three fully charged ZPMs judging by their brightness. The pair smiled at having their hard work payoff only to be interrupted. "We hit the jackpot kids, now I can power my cabin without a generator." Jack said leaning in taking the sight in for himself. "Jack, be serious for once. This is just proves my theory about ancients setting the…" Daniel began going into lecture mode only to be cut off by Teal'C. "Daniel Jackson; I do find your theory interesting. We do not have time to sit and take notes at this time." He replied dead pan causing others to hold back laughter. "Etu yrrum (bad attempt at Pig Latin)" Daniel answered back. "Face it space monkey, your lectures would be boring if it wasn't for your wild gestures. Now let's pack these up and go home." Jack said motioning to Chekov to beam in the new container.
-"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, prepare to die!" Klingon Proverb-
"Listen up campers…" Jack belted out getting everyones attention. "We're moving out once the batteries are stowed away properly so get to it!" There was a chorus of yes sirs and sighs of relief. Many a soldier didn't waste time for all they wanted were showers and hot grub. "Reynolds, let's talk for a minute." Jack said walking over to Col. Chekov with Teal'C in tow. Two soldiers from Reynolds team walked past Jack with an Air Force emblazed container as M4A3 rifles bounced around on their backs. Nigel and Lurch stood up and stretched. "Does the commissary serve fish & chips SSgt Nantz? I'm craving them after eating what you yanks call 'Meals Rejected by Ethiopians' (MREs)." He commented cradling his FN-FAL. "You just got the misfortune of eating 'Beef Enchilada'. The only one worse than that is the veggie burger. Who ever came up with that needs to be shot…many times over!" Lurch said with a serious look. "It wasn't that bad compared to what some Tok'ra eats." Nigel responded honestly. "…either way, you'll regret it in the morning." Lurch said with a laugh shouldering his M240 with the muzzle pointed down. The two men walked in silence over to the rally point awaiting departure. Others joined them wondering what their final travel plans were going to be.
"Albert, you are to take the remaining forces through the gate minus SG1. We are going with Col. Chekov on the Prometheus." Jack said much to the Russian colonels disdain. "I want you to go the long way home Albert." He ordered his subordinate getting a nod. "Did Lt. Col. Carter confirm Anubis's ability to track gate travel sir?" Reynolds asked wanting conformation on a running theory. "Lt. Col. Carter has not confirmed her theory at this time Col. Reynolds. She needs more data to analyze." Teal'C answered the colonel. "That's where you come in Albert. I want you to gate to at least 4 planets then home. If Darth Vader can track our movements let's make him work for it, understood." Jack asked getting a yes sir and a grin. Albert already had a route in mind, Anubis's jaffa were in for a ride if they could track them. "Col. O'Neill, the ZPMs are ready for transport if you are!" Chekov said getting a nod from Jack. "T, gather our people together. We're going on a space cruise." He said slapping the Russian his back smiling. "Col. O'Neill, I wish to inform you we do not have variety shows on the ship. Your travel planner lied to you!" Chekov informed is one time enemy. "Damn, you do have a sense of humor after all Checkers." Jack replied with a laugh then motioned for his team to follow him. "Sir, do you think they'll play 'From Russia with Love'." Lurch asked getting into position to be beamed up. Sophia rolled her eyes at his question. "The colonel would more like play Dr. Zivago. It's a classic tale."Daniel replied adjusting his glasses after sneezing a few times. "I was trying to be sarcastic." Chekov mumbled under his breath already planning on increasing their time of arrival at the Beta sight. The last thing Col. Chekov heard before beaming up was Jacks voice. "I have if on good authority that Babylon 5 will be playing. Checkers seems to have a crush on Susan Ivanova."
A/N: I'm sorry for the long wait for update. Life seems to suck my creativity these days. One more chapter till I start my next story. It'll be Jack & Samantha centered.